Rent arrears: six steps that cut late payment before it becomes debt

10 November 2026

1. Put the grace period in the lease

State the due day, the days of grace after it, and what happens when they run out. A tenant who knows the rule in advance keeps to it more often, and staff know when to start chasing without guessing.

2. Remind before the due date, not after

A short WhatsApp message two or three days ahead, with the amount, the date and how to pay. Most lateness is forgetting, not refusing.

3. Sort arrears by age

• Up to 30 days: a friendly reminder.
• 31–60 days: a call and an agreed date.
• 61–90 days: written notice, and tell the owner.
• Over 90 days: a decision — reschedule or terminate.

4. Take part payments and record them properly

Part today beats all of it in two months. Settle the oldest charge first so no old month stays open, and give a receipt showing what was paid and what remains.

5. In shared housing, each resident on their own account

Never make a partner who pays carry another’s lateness. Record each partner’s share as their own debt and chase the arrear by name.

6. Review the number every week

Total arrears and the payment rate are enough to tell whether follow-up is working. If arrears rise two weeks running, the problem is the follow-up, not the tenants.

FADx Rent shows arrears by age automatically after the grace period you set, with a WhatsApp reminder button per tenant and a receipt sent by link.

See how it works: Rent collection and arrears